Our Untold Stories

Untold stories of WW1 & 1916 from the Irish Community Archive Network

Saturday 3rd December: 2pm – 4.30pm

Join members of the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN) to discover some fascinating accounts of people, places, events and artefacts connected with 1916 and World War 1. These stories have been uncovered and commemorated by communities carrying out local history research.

iCAN is a community engagement project of the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life.

Find out more at www.ouririshheritage.org
Booking Required Suitable for 7yrs +
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Louisburgh-Killeen, Co Mayo: 1916 and the Road to Independence as seen through the eyes of the children of 2016.

Moycullen, Co. Galway: Rural men of Ireland Lost to WW1 – The Survivors

County Wicklow: Wicklow Life and Stories 1916

Woodlawn, Co. Galway: Frederick Trench - From Woodlawn to Mailly Wood

Abbey
Fr Eugene Nevin CP - his association with the Irish Volunteers & the 1916 Rising.
Passionist Priest, Fr Eugene Nevin CP, was born in Co Galway in 1868. Ordained in 1895, he was the first rector of the Graan Monastery in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. He was deeply interested in Irish History and very sympathetic to the Irish cause. He moved to Mount Argus in Dublin in 1915 and became a staunch supporter of the Irish Volunteers. He was the first priest in Dublin to openly support the Irish Volunteers and his public address to them can be seen in the National Library, Dublin. His testimony brought him into close contact with the leaders of the 1916 rising as outlined in his evidence to the National Bureau of Military History. Fr Nevin remained in close contact with the families of the volunteers for the remainder of his life.

Claregalway
A Skirmish at Carnmore Cross 1916
Find out about the men that participated in the Rising in the parish of Claregalway and their captain Tom Ruane of Carnmore. What happened in the lead up to Wednesday, April 26th 1916 of Easter Week and the fatal shooting of Constable Patrick Whelan at Carnmore Cross on that fateful day? How was this turbulent period in the Parish history commemorated in 2016?

Louisburgh-Killeen
1916 and the Road to Independence as seen through the eyes of the children of 2016.
We were privileged to learn about the 1916 Road to Independence from the children of 5th & 6th Class, Killeen NS. These pupils were truly inspired by the centenary and took it upon themselves to research, re-enact, relive & revel in the untold accounts of ordinary life in 1916 Dublin, especially as a child living during that Easter week. We are delighted to share their story & record their 1916 Commemoration Project for the Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage Group Community Archive.

Moycullen
Rural men of Ireland Lost to WW1 – The Survivors
After surviving the trials of war and returning to a different Ireland, five young brothers from Moycullen decided to carve out their futures far from the stone walls and bogs of home. Having a curiosity about her family and its roots, the Morrison brothers’ niece Hazel began to dig into the past in order to “get to know her uncles”…. Why they went to war, where they went, what effect it had on their lives, and what happened when they came back. Find out how Hazel discovered information in unexpected places, including post cards from the front and how she learned about such things as Trench Art.

A presentation on two initiatives in County Wicklow which set out to record and raise awareness of life in the county in 1916 as set within the backdrop of the Rising and its aftermath. The Public Collections Day event provided the opportunity to create an archive of material deriving from the photos, documents, letters, and other personal memorabilia as presented by members of the public. The stories associated with each item are being carefully recorded and presented on the online community heritage archive, Our Wicklow Heritage and contribute greatly to the county’s archival collection. The WicklowLife App evokes a sense of everyday life in the county during the year of the rising through weekly updates of newspaper snippets featuring local news stories, advertisements and events as presented in the two main County Wicklow newspapers of the day –The Wicklow People and The Wicklow News-Letter. The content of the app presents a unique glimpse of live everyday life that is often poignant, sometimes quirky, and on occasion quite amusing!

Images
1. The prison issue socks of Commandant Peter Galligan in Dartmoor Prison during his incarceration in the aftermath of the Easter Rising. Credit: Wicklow County Council
2. A medal awarded to Michael Giffney in 1941 from the president of Ireland Douglas Hyde for his service in the GPO in 1916. Credit: Wicklow County Council
3. Screenshot of WicklowLife App Credit Wicklow County Council

Woodlawn
Frederick Trench - From Woodlawn to Mailly Wood
Frederick Trench was born 9th December 1894, first son to 3rd Baron Ashtown, Frederick Oliver Trench & Lady Violet Grace (nee Cosby). However, his 'privileged status' came to an abrupt end at the Battle of the Somme 1916. 'From Woodlawn to Mailly Wood' is a glimpse at the short life of one man who classed himself as Irish, and died serving God, King and Country.

Images
1. The Church in Woodlawn where a stain glass window was constructed in his memory. Credit Bernadette Doherty, Woodlawn Heritage Group
2. The cross (located now in Woodlawn Church beside the window in his honour) which once marked his grave in Maille Wood Cemetery. Credit Bernadette Doherty, Woodlawn Heritage Group
3. Detail of the cross. Credit Bernadette Doherty, Woodlawn Heritage Group
4. A picture of the soldier himself, two years prior to his death